Exercising on Vacation- Yay or Nay?

Long time, no see! After getting back from Indonesia last week, I didn’t feel fully like myself, so it’s been a few days since I posted. I fell asleep by accident a few times in the afternoons while I was sitting up (jet lag, is that you?) and I had no appetite (which is seriously unheard of for me).

Does this look like the face of a girl who doesn’t get excited about food? Didn’t think so.

But I’m all back to normal now and I wanted to do a post about exercising on vacation, inspired by my thoughts during my Indo trip.

I don’t think there’s necessarily one right way to handle exercising on vacation, but in general, I like to run during trips for a few reasons:

1. It’s my favorite way to explore the city where I’m staying and a fun way to switch up my normal terrain. Running on beach boardwalks, over rocky trails, or on city sidewalks? Yes, please!
2. It’s low maintenance since I don’t have to pack many extra clothes to be able to run and I can do it even if there’s no gym nearby.
3. When I take multiple days in a row off from running, I tend to have more energy than normal. Having extra energy sounds like a great thing, but sometimes makes it harder for me to go to sleep.
4. To me, it’s easier to maintain my fitness rather than skipping a few weeks of running and having to get back in shape.

With that being said, I think flexibility is also really important when I’m out of my normal routine.

Take my recent 2-week trip to Indonesia, for example. Knowing that some trips are a one-in-a-lifetime experience, it seem silly to worry about something small like being able to work out. Back when I was consistently over-exercising, though, I absolutely refused to ever miss a run, so I know it can be a very real fear. Now, although I still really enjoy running, I’m happy to just stay as active as I can without stressing about it, especially since I’m not currently training for a race.

Not a gym selfie kind of girl, or heck, even a gym kind of girl, but I had to show you the little hotel gym

I checked beforehand and learned there’d be no way to run outside my hotel’s gates in Jakarta (imagine a more populated, more hectic version of New York City without all of the traffic rules and sidewalks and you kind of have a picture of Jakarta).

My hotel did have a gym, though, so I packed a couple of running outfits and decided I’d use the treadmill there to run enough to maintain my fitness and clear my head from time to time (while keeping in mind that if I needed to take 2 full weeks off from running because of lack of time or gym equipment, I could just consider it a nice rest for my legs).

[Total side note: running in that little non air-conditioned gym was quite an experience since the treadmill belt was slippery, there were lots of mosquitos inside, and sometimes people would come spectate and watch anyone who was working out.

I also did laps around the small gated lot of our hotel during the last few days of the trip, which ended up being funny since the same friendly hotel staff members would wave and say a cheery “hello!” every. single. time. that I ran by…which was no less than 20 times per 4 mile run. I smiled and waved back every time, too, and could only imagine how silly I probably looked to them.

And a couple of other guests came up to me during breakfast and asked me about my running, so lesson learned: Indonesia’s running culture is different than America’s. People might have been wondering if I was being chased.]

Anyway, during the first week, I ran 3-4 quick miles on 3 different days (taking the first few days off because of jet-lag and the 11-hour time difference). During the second week, I ran 3-4 quick miles on 4 separate days.

Running just enough to stay in shape worked out well because I was able to do it before everyone else woke up, and it was just enough to feel like my running hadn’t missed a beat once I started restarted my normal routine again (usually something like 5-7 miles per day, 6 days per week).

A 6 mile run with my sister on Sunday- our first run together all summer!

So, in summary, I learned:

-Running 3 days per week instead of 6 days per week won’t kill me (or you, either, probably). If I did that long-term, I’m not sure what effect it’d have on my running fitness, but short-term, it worked justttt fine.
-Skipping a run to hang out on the couch and talk about boyz is also a-okay sometimes.
-Running keeps some consistency in my routine when everything else (food, people, sleep schedule, surroundings, etc.) is totally different than normal.
-On trips that aren’t super active (i.e. our trip, which involved sitting in 6 hours of Jakarta traffic every day), it’s really nice to start the day off on an active note.
-Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility. I’m still working on that one.

Questions for you– I’d love for you to weigh in!How do you handle exercising on vacation? Do you worry about getting out of shape? Do you feel more freedom to indulge on vacation if you can maintain your normal exercise routine?

For runners: what’s your favorite place to run– beach, mountains, or other?

Comments

I always workout whilst I am on holiday, as I have more time than I do at home, but I try to do things that I wouldn’t do at home, like run along the beach, or go paddle boarding. I don’t really go to the hotel gym, as I can go to the gym at home.Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Baba Ganoush by Dannii

I’m like you in that exercise gives my vacation life a sense of normalcy. If I’m on a fairly active/exploratory vacation, I’m more likely to not work out. Otherwise, I’m an early riser anyway, so I usually squeeze in a quick run or gym session before the day really starts. Working out balances my energy (gives me some in the morning, but uses up enough that I can still sleep at night) and feels good 🙂
A lot of people I’ve talked to think I’m crazy because I really love running on the beach. Sand definitely slows me down, but it’s easy on my joints. And the view is so pretty!Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…The Kitchen is My Happy Place

Loved reading about your experience, Liv. I have very similar feelings about exercising on vacation. If it’s an active vacation, then I tend not to think about running or working out too much. But when I’m in a conducive area for running (which is def the best way to see the area) I genuinely look forward to it. Favorite place to run: anywhere near the water!Emily @ My Healthyish Life recently posted…Meeting Up & Moving Out

Ah I’ve totally struggled with anxiety over not being able to exercise on vacation, but seriously, a few days off actually helps me get back at it stronger and harder (whether that means finally getting to a gym or doing a hotel room workout). You’ve discovered great flexibility and balance!

I normally workout while on vacation, but probably not as much as I normally do. I typically just stick to running like you said because its easy and low maintenance.Courtney @ Running For Cupcakes recently posted…Weekend & Workout Recap

Running is my go-to when I am on vacation. It is a lot easier to pack a running outfit and a pair of running shoes rather than packing weights or other equipment. Plus it is the best way to explore new territory. I always like to take a bit of an exercise break while on vacation and take a few more rest days than normal, or lighter workouts so I can get back from vacation feeling refreshed and ready to get right back into the routine.Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter Wave Smoothie Bowl

I try to stay as active as a I can while on vacation, but usually that means biking/walking/hiking to get anywhere! Unless I’m super sure that my surroundings are safe, I don’t usually run alone in a new place. It’s always nice to take a break from your routine, and it looks like you got a great chance to do so!Lacey @ Runs and Roses recently posted…Reacting vs. Responding

If I work out on vacation, it is more of a recreational thing… working out just makes me feel relaxed so that’s a big part of it. Sometimes I prefer to try to incorporate physical activity into a vacation day rather than having a structured workout. For example, going on a hike or taking a long walk on the beach.

Side note: I can’t imagine working out with spectators and mosquitoes… talk about making memories on that trip 🙂Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola recently posted…Weekend Recap

Walking on the beach is one of my absolute favorite things to do on vacation. I love doing walking with my mom and we’ll decide to walk to the next pier (which never seems that far away) and before we know it, we’ll have walked 5 miles! And I always love hiking, too 🙂

Loved this post! I also LOVE exploring cities by running through them early in the morning before anyone is out. It is sometimes my favorite part of traveling! But…. there is also something to be said about going with the flow of the vacation and doing what you feel like AND not missing out on other aspects because you absolutely have to workout.Hayley@healthyregardshayley recently posted…Courage — not what you might think.

Thanks, Hayley! Exploring by running is one of my favorites, too. Especially when I get up early and go run while other people are still sleeping, I feel like I get to see a whole other part of the place that no one else sees 🙂

I think you have a very healthy way of handling this! I don’t over-exercise, but I’m very Type A and skipping a run makes me want to break out in hives. Most of my trips are for races and/or hiking, so usually I don’t have to make a choice.Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon: Week 0

I don’t remember if I ran the last time I went on vacation…it was about 6 years ago. I do plan to on my next one because it is in DC and I want to explore the city!! I think vacation is for both relaxing and doing things you love. Would you take a break from reading just because it’s vacation? Of course not! 🙂Ellie recently posted…Sunflower Butter Chickpea Blondies

I love to run on vacation because I have more time for enjoyable runs and I don’t feel like I’m trying to squeeze anything in before work. However, I have been known to get too concerned with fitting everything in, so it only works best if my travel buddies like sleeping in! And I’m all about that beach run 🙂Jamie recently posted…#MIMM Where I Did Nothing

For me, I try to just stay active throughout the events we do in the day. Going for hikes or walking on the beach: it’s the best of both worlds as it allows me to spend time with family while getting a little exercise. I’d rather spend the vacation chatting with my family than making sure I am up early to get a run in. 🙂Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me recently posted…MY Version of Healthy

I just got back from 3 weeks of traveling to 2 different places…and I’m with you. I love running as my workout on vaca because I agree that it’s a great way to explore. I also love hiking (where location permits!) as and activity to sight see. I just got back from LA and hikes the Santa Monica mountains and also didi it in Hawaii when I was there few years ago. I count as a 2-for-1 activity on vaca! And I definitely don’t try to feel guilty when it comes to indulging in the food aspect of traveling. I just try not to stuff my face…lol! Loved seeing your photos from your trip btw! 🙂Deanna @ The Live Fit Girls recently posted…Sculpt Sexy Shoulders in Two Moves!

Haha I don’t know what I would have done if people watched me workout like that! I think it’s important to have that flexibility on a trip because I would rather make memories than stress about getting a workout in. If I were training for a race it would probably be different. At the same time, if I’m able to I will because it’s fun to run in new places! I ran on the boardwalk in San Diego a few summers ago and my runs literally felt effortless between the gorgeous view of the beach and being distracted by people haha.Hailey recently posted…School, training, and ice cream

I have to be honest, the thought of going for long periods of time with NO exercise does make me a bit anxious. However I am fine if I know I can maybe squeeze in a bit of movement here and there to keep myself energetic and feeling good. I think people should approach exercising on vacation the same way they view their vacation- a chance to loosen up a bit while still enjoying themselves. I like how flexible you were with having to decrease your mileage and intensity a bit to match your current situation. So funny how people may have thought you were being chased :P.Niki @ Life With Niki recently posted…WIAW: Interesting Food Combos

I didn’t want exercise to become a focus of the trip for me and it didn’t, thankfully, but I really did feel more energized after squeezing in a few quick workouts here and there! I noticed that I felt more tired and sluggish on the days where I sat around more, so I really was able to enjoy the other parts of the trip more fully when I stayed active.

love it! I normally just stay extra active on vacation. Take walks, rent a bike, swim at the beach etc. It’s a nice little break from my normal work outs but I just feel like of gross if I’m just sedentary for too many days lolLexi @That Fit Fam recently posted…Healthy Banana Muffins

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Rating

Current ye@r *

Leave this field empty

Welcome!

Hi there, I’m Liv! I started blogging during my first year of college at UNC-Chapel Hill to share recipes easy enough for a dorm kitchen. Thankfully, I’m no longer cooking in a dorm, but my goal is still to share simple, delicious recipes that don’t take too much of your time. Most often, you can find me running, eating ice cream, and making a mess in my kitchen. Read more…